1. US REP. ELIJAH CUMMINGS DIES AT 68
The Maryland congressman became the powerful chairman of a U.S. House committee that investigated Trump and was a formidable orator who passionately advocated for the poor.
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2. US SEEKS CEASE-FIRE BETWEEN TURKEY, KURDS
Vice President Mike Pence and Secretary of State Mike Pompeo arrive in Turkey to mount an improbable push for a cease-fire in Syria.
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3.MONTH-LONG STRIKE AT GM ENDS
The United Auto Workers’ chief bargainer says a tentative deal with the automaker represents “major gains” for 49,000 union workers.
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4. TOXIC ALGAE STILL PRESENT IN AREA WATERWAYS
The weather is cooler, but that toxic blue-green algae is still present in the water at Lady Bird Lake and Red Bud Isle. City environmental scientist Brent Bellinger tells KXAN we need a real cold snap in order to get the water cold enough to kill it off.
“What we’re really hoping for with the water is to consistently be below 75-degrees,” he says. “It really needs to be persistent. Just couple of days of cool weather really isn’t enough.”
He thinks the growing zebra mussel population mixed with hot weather has helped fuel the algae blooms. Several dogs died this summer just hours after swimming around the algae.
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5. AUSTIN COUNCIL STRUGGLES WITH ORDINANCES REVISIONS
The Austin City Council has proposed three different variations of revised homeless ordinances, all of which will come up for a vote today. But there is still a lot of disagreement at City Hall. Some council members say it’s imperative that the city defines specific areas where camping is not allowed, others continue to support the current ordinances. Mayor Steve Adler says a full reinstatement of the old rules is highly unlikely.
